SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY PROGRAM
PRACTICUM CONTRACT
PSYCH 870
PRACTICUM IN SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY
PRACTICUM REQUIREMENTS
The objective of the Practicum in School Psychology is to provide each student with
opportunities to integrate and apply skills acquired in Professional School Psychology.
Students accepted into the Ed.S. School Psychology Program who have completed the
necessary prerequisites (see below) will be considered by Faculty for Practicum
placement. The application timeline requires students to apply for practicum midway
through the semester prior to Practicum placement. All field placements are considered
by a placement committee consisting of the Psychology and Counseling faculty who
coordinate practitioner training programs.
By definition, the Practicum is a training experience, and the service role is subservient to
the skills training aspects of the experience. The overall responsibility for practicum rests
with the University Supervisor, however, day-to-day supervision rests with the certified
School Psychologist agreeing to serve as the Field Supervisor. The University and field
supervision will conduct ongoing evaluation (see Evaluation Section) of the practicum
experience.
Role of the Field Supervisor:
The role of the Field Supervisor is central to quality field experience for the School
Psychology Practicum Student. Although the Practicum Student may work under more
than one person, the designated Field Supervisor will act as a contact. The Field
Supervisor agrees to:
-
be available daily for consultation
assist the Practicum Student in organizing activities and working with school
professionals
review all work/documents and countersign reports
provide feedback at mid-semester and end of semester to the University
Supervisor and Practicum Student regarding the Practicum Student’s skill levels
help the Practicum student and University Supervisor regarding the Practicum
Student’s skill level
help the Practicum Student organize his/her time and activities to complete PSU
Practicum requirements
Role of the University Supervisor:
The University Supervisor does not always have day to day contact with the practicum
Student.
The University Supervisor does, however, fill a direct contact role in supervision by:
-
weekly supervision contacts with the Practicum Student in formal campus classes
on-site visits to the Practicum site once per semester
-
ongoing availability to the Practicum Student or Supervisor for consultation via
office visits, telephone, and e-mail
gather evaluation and conduct feedback sessions with the Practicum Student
regarding performance at mid and end semester evaluations
meet with the Field Supervisor to evaluate progress and provide feedback to the
Practicum Student
Role of the Practicum Student:
The Practicum Student is expected to assume a major role in monitoring progress towards
completions of the Practicum requirements. Additionally, the Practicum Student agrees
to:
-
conduct him/herself in an appropriate, ethical, and professional manner including
professional dress and grooming
provide his/her own transportation to and from training sites as assigned
consult with the Field or University Supervisor as appropriate
attend weekly supervision sessions at the University
keep a time/activity log to demonstrate an organized approach to scheduling and
completing Practicum activities.
Participate in evaluation activities in a constructive disposition
Ratings:
Where applicable, the Supervisor will rate the performance or product of the Practicum
Student. Activity/product ratings are from zero to three. Each instance of a zero rating
must be accompanied by a correction plan (see addendum). This correction plan will be
highly individualized and decided upon by collaboration among the Field Supervisor,
University Supervisor, and the Practicum Student. Corrective plans may range from
repeating an activity to being required to audit a course. The 970 Practicum is not
complete without a minimum rating of one for all Practicum Requirements
‘0’-- A rating of zero indicates that in the opinion of the Supervisor the Practicum
Student’s skills are below acceptable standards in that area or the product is
inadequate. Even with supervision, the student is not ready to enter the field because
that skill set is so poorly developed.
‘1’-- A rating of one indicates that in the opinion of the Supervisor the Practicum
Student demonstrated acceptable skills or an acceptable product, and should be able
to enter the profession in a closely supervised capacity.
‘2’-- A rating of two indicates that in the opinion of the Supervisor the Practicum
Student demonstrates skills that predict success in professional school psychology
and a thorough familiarity/mastery of requirements for that specific Practicum
Requirement.
‘3’-- A rating of three indicates that in the opinion of the Supervisor, the Practicum
Student demonstrates an exemplary skill or product and evidences a high level of
proficiency.
Prerequisites: The following are prerequisites for Advanced Practicum in School
Psychology
1.
2.
3.
4.
Completion of a Masters Degree
Status of acceptance in Ed.S School Psychology Program
Written approval from the Practicum Committee; and
Completion of the following courses:
a. PSYCH 741--Behavior Modification
b. PSYCH 819--Theories of Counseling
c. PSYCH 817--Family Counseling
A. The student will spend at least three days in a regular elementary classroom observing
special education support services for remedial programs, identified children with
developmental delays, children with severe impairments, children with Learning
Disabilities, early childhood, and children with behavior disorders. This will include
adaptive physical education and alternative educational settings. Additionally, the
student will have exposure to low incidence handicapping conditions such as deafblind or children with multiple handicapping conditions. These observations should
occur in the school setting and/or community based settings, as assigned by the Field
or University Supervisor.
The Practicum student will have direct instructional contact with pupils with
disabilities as a teacher’s aide or tutor, and consult with either regular education or
special education teachers and teach two modules as assigned.
Documentation: Lesson plans, reaction reports for teaching, observations, and
interviews
B. The student will interview each of these service personnel to discuss their role in
special education and early intervention: Principal, Director of Special Education,
Speech Therapist, School Nurse, OT/PT, Community Agency Counselor, E/BD
Teacher, and School Social Worker (if available), SRS social worker, Community
Mental Health Counselor who works with school-age children.
Documentation: Reaction report reflecting upon the contribution of various
professionals
C. The student will accompany a Field Supervisor on at least one home visit.
Documentation: Reaction report reflecting on the role of the home on the education of
pupils.
D. The student will keep an electronic log accounting for the time (in hours) and a folio
to document the activities performed for completing 870 Practicum. A minimum of
150 clock hours will be documented, and all of the assigned activities must be
completed. This document will be handed in to the University Supervisor.
Documentation: 870 Practicum Activity Log
E. The student will meet biweekly as scheduled with the University Supervisor. The
purpose of these meetings will be to provide concurrent training with the Practicum
experience. The University Supervisor will visit the Practicum site at least once
during the semester.
Documentation: dates of meetings in 870 Practicum activity log
F. The Practicum student will maintain a list of community service agencies with which
the school may have contact (e.g. youth service, child abuse, sheltered workshop,
SRS, etc.) This listing of agencies will be discussed with the University Supervisor.
Documentation: copy of the list
G. The student will cite all due process steps from screening to placement, including
components of the IEP.
Documentation: copy of steps in writing
H. The student will be responsible for the following areas which permeate all aspects of
the Practicum experience: multicultural issues- The Practicum student must be aware
of levels of cultural pluralism. These must be accepted and enhanced, as they
contribute to the cultural enrichment of the entire system. Ethnic and cultural bias
will be avoided. This included the practices of racism, sexism, prejudice, stereotypes,
and inequality. Ethical guidelines of NASP, APA and AACD will be followed in the
delivery of psychological service.
Documentation: reaction paper student reflecting upon diversity in the schools.
I. In addition, each student will participate in other practicum activities as assigned by
agreement of the University and field supervisor, and the Practicum student.
J. Attend two school board meetings
Documentation: reaction paper- reflecting on the school as an organization and how
public policy influences school practice
K. Student evaluates Practicum experience
Documentation: Evaluation document in folio.
870 Practicum Performance Rating Scale
PRACTICUM ACTIVIITIES
A. Half Day Each Observations:
1. Regular Class
0 1 23
2. EMH Experience
0 1 23
3. SMH Experience
0 1 23
4. LD Experience
0 1 23
5. BD Experience
0 1 23
6. Low Incidence Experience
0 1 23
7. Adaptive Phys. Ed.
0 1 23
8. ALT Educ. Setting
0 1 23
9. Tutors
0 1 2 10. Teaches two modules
Spvsr 0 1 2 3
B. Observations/Interviews:
1. Speech Therapist
0 1 23
2. E/BD Teacher
0 1 23
3. OT/PT
0 1 23
4. School Nurse
0 1 23
5. Community Agency
0 1 23
( ) ok by Field Spvsr
( ) ok by Field Spvsr
( ) ok by Field Spvsr
( ) ok by Field Spvsr
( ) ok by Field Spvsr
( ) ok by Field Spvsr
( ) ok by Field Spvsr
( ) ok by Field Spvsr
( ) ok by Field Spvsr
( ) ok by Field
( ) ok by Field Spvsr
( ) ok by Field Spvsr
( ) ok by Field Spvsr
( ) ok by Field Spvsr
( ) ok by Field Spvsr
C. Student Home Visit:
0 1 23
( ) ok by Field Spvsr
D. Student Maintains
01 23
Accountability Document
( ) ok by Univ. Spvsr
E. Student Attends Biweekly Supervision
Spvsr0 1 2 3
( ) ok by Univ.
F. Student Lists Community Agencies
01 23
( ) ok by Univ. Spvsr
G. Student Cites Due Process Procedures
0 1 23
( ) ok by Field Spvsr
H. Student Awareness of Ethics and
0 1 23
Cultural Pluralism
( ) ok by Field Spvsr
I. Other Activities as Assigned
01 23
( ) ok by Field Spvsr
J. Attends 2 School Board Meetings
0123
( ) ok by Univ. Spvsr
K. Practicum Student Evaluation
01 23
( ) ok by Univ. Spvsr
Student Evaluates Practicum 870
To the Practicum Students:
Please evaluate our Practicum experience. This information will be considered to
implement program changes, coursework requirements, site changes, etc. Please
comment on the following:
0-inadequate 1-adequate 2-superior 3-outstanding
Practicum Supervision (university and school)
0 1 2 3
Practicum Site
0 1 2 3
Preparation for Practicum
0 1 2 3
Most useful aspect of Practicum
What Requirement would you change?
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